Chapman hat-trick leads Australia to fourth straight Women's Rugby League World Cup

Australia won a record fourth Women's Rugby League World Cup title with a 34-10 victory over New Zealand in Brisbane, scoring all their points before half-time. According to BBC Sport's match report, Jaime Chapman supplied a hat-trick as the Jillaroos secured their fourth consecutive championship and extended their unbeaten World Cup run to 16 matches.

Watch the highlights:

The final was shaped by Australia's opening surge. Chapman scored after just 125 seconds, forcing her way through three defenders on the left. Shaylee Bent then crossed from close range before Chapman finished in the corner for her second try. Those three scores came inside the opening 15 minutes, with New Zealand struggling to recover from errors and disciplinary lapses that gave Australia favourable field position.

Jess Sergis added Australia's fourth try after a run covering the length of the field, although the BBC report noted a suspected forward pass during the build-up. The Jillaroos scored the first 24 points before Shannon Mato responded for New Zealand, taking advantage of consecutive Australian infringements. That try interrupted the early sequence without halting Australia's scoring before the interval.

Chapman completed her hat-trick with a 60-metre run, escaping several attempted tackles. Tamika Upton then scored after receiving an inside pass from Abbi Church, taking Australia's first-half total to six tries. Jesse Southwell, selected by head coach Jess Skinner ahead of Jocelyn Kelleher at stand-off, converted five of the six scores, including two kicks from the left touchline. Australia led 34-6 at the break.

The second half brought a markedly different contest. New Zealand kept Australia scoreless, preserving their tournament record of not conceding after half-time. Georgia Hale stopped Tarryn Aiken with a try-saving tackle, while Mackenzie Wiki crossed in the 70th minute for the Kiwi Ferns. Their improved defence was not matched by consistent attacking possession, however, with handling errors and misplaced passes continuing to disrupt their sets.

The match was played in intense heat, requiring a drinks break in each half and a longer interval. Australia's victory completed a tournament in which they scored 306 points and conceded 30. Their unbeaten World Cup sequence now stretches back to July 2013, with the Brisbane final adding another title despite New Zealand's second-half resistance.